Insight into the Selectivity-Determining Step of Various Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Products by Inorganic Semiconductors

Converting CO2 into hydrocarbons using solar energy enables the seamless integration of efficient solar energy utilization and carbon neutrality, presenting an efficacious solution to simultaneously tackle energy and environmental issues. However, challenges arise in controlling the selectivity of reduction products hinder its industrial application due to uncertainties in decisive factors. Given the complexity of the photocatalytic process, it is imperative to improve the understanding of the thermodynamic aspects (including consideration of both redox potential of photocatalysts and light absorption properties, activation of stable CO2 molecules, similarity in reduction potential of products) as well as kinetic obstacles (such as high adsorption potential, significant time disparity between charge separation and transfer, competition from side reactions). This Review offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors that govern product selectivity and explores effective strategies for enhancing catalytic performance based on recent advancements in photocatalytic CO2 reduction to diverse chemical compounds. These profound insights provide invaluable guidance for addressing challenges in practical applications of photocatalytic CO2 conversion.